I recently attended a presentation by Pebble Mine spokesman Mark Hamilton. With a straight face, he said multiple times the Pebble Mine would not harm fish. But that’s not true. The EPA Watershed Assessment — which underwent enormous scientific scrutiny — found the Pebble Mine will certainly harm Bristol Bay salmon and salmon habitat.
Then I had déjà vu. Back in 2014, Mr. Hamilton was a spokesman for another corporate campaign, fighting to preserve the oil tax regime pushed through by the oil corporations. Mr. Hamilton told Alaskans Senate Bill 21 would increase jobs, spark more production, and result in more revenues to the state. Now we have record high unemployment and a gaping budget shortfall. So, as Mr. Hamilton makes the rounds promoting the Pebble Mine, the question becomes: When will Pebble start telling Alaskans the truth?
Bob Shavelson
— Cook Inletkeeper, Homer
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